{"id":19002,"date":"2018-04-16T09:18:41","date_gmt":"2018-04-16T14:18:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostgator.com\/blog\/?p=19002"},"modified":"2018-09-26T11:06:51","modified_gmt":"2018-09-26T16:06:51","slug":"online-store-launch-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostgator.com\/blog\/online-store-launch-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"Launch Your Online Store with This 5-Step Plan"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"online<\/p>\n

5 Steps to a Successful Online Store Launch<\/h2>\n

Ready to open your online store?<\/p>\n

With all the excitement for the official launch, it\u2019s important that you take time to map out your plan. You want to be ready to serve customers on day 1 (with little or no issues).<\/p>\n

Everything won\u2019t be perfect, but the key is to keep pushing forward. Listen to Entrepreneur<\/i> contributor Jonathan Long<\/a>\u2019s advice:<\/p>\n

'Do not wait until you think it is perfect to launch. You are going to need to constantly split-test and make changes-it\u2019s never going to be perfect…Don\u2019t let excuses or fear get in your way-you are never going to know if you have a viable online business unless you launch.'\u009d<\/em><\/p>\n

A strategy can help remove fear and doubt before launch day. Here\u2019s our 5-step plan to assist you.<\/p>\n

\"best<\/a><\/p>\n

1. Optimize Your Product Descriptions<\/h2>\n

In the e-commerce business, the website is the foundation for your brand. And similar to a house, a weak foundation can result in problems in the future.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why it\u2019s vital for you to optimize your website from the start. This process includes everything from web hosting<\/a> to branding to technical search engine optimization.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a lot to consider. Think about how easily a potential customer can access your navigation bar or what keyword phrases will help you rank on page one of Google.<\/p>\n

With the growing number of mobile consumers, you\u2019ll also want to configure your site for smartphones and tablets. A few small changes can make the shopping experience better.<\/p>\n

Product descriptions are often overlooked when launching online stores. The content should provide all the product details with an image.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an example below from TJ Maxx<\/a>. From a price to social share buttons, shoppers receive all the necessary information to make their purchasing decisions.<\/p>\n

\"ecommerce<\/p>\n

Before you dazzle up your store, figure how you can enhance the site for your consumers. Every tweak gets you closer to a sale.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2. Know Your Shipping Strategy<\/h2>\n

Most e-commerce stores sell physical products. If that\u2019s your business, you need to ponder how you will deliver those products to your customers.<\/p>\n

Shipping is a big deal in business. From a brand\u2019s perspective, you want the lowest costs to get items from point A to point B. Customers want their products to arrive at their doorsteps as soon as possible.<\/p>\n

These dilemmas leave very few options for e-commerce brands. For instance, you might have to offer free shipping to your shoppers.<\/p>\n

'Most customers not only want free shipping, they expect it. For this reason it can be difficult to sell a product with a hefty shipping fee. Many online retailers combat this by including the cost of shipping into the price tag while raising the price and offering '\u02dcfree shipping\u2019,'\u009d writes Forbes <\/i>contributor Brent Gleeson<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Build a shipping strategy that ensures everyone involved gets what they desire. Answer the following questions:<\/p>\n